State's military museum, friends fight to ensure local Civil War veterans are honored during sesquicentennial

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Local officials are fighting a financial battle to make sure New York's role in the Civil War isn't forgotten.

The War Between the States began 150 years ago on April 12 at Fort Sumter, S.C., and most states will hold numerous sesquicentennial events in the next few years.

New York sacrificed more soldiers to the Union cause than any other state, but so far the cash-strapped state is doing little to honor their memory.

"We're in a desperate situation," said Lance Ingmire, chairman of the New York State Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee.

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Saratoga County gave many native sons to the war including Col. Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union officer killed on May 15, 1861. He's buried in Mechanicville and plans call for displaying his uniform this spring at the New York State Military Museum on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Also of local distinction, Ballston Spa native Abner Doubleday is credited with firing the first Union shots of the war at Fort Sumter. Doubleday, a West Point graduate, was eventually promoted to major general.

Construction is currently underway at the museum on a new permanent exhibit that traces the evolution of the New York militia and National Guard from 1792, when the Uniform Militia Act was passed, to the National Defense Act of 1916. The exhibit will cover every major conflict of the 19th century from the War of 1812 to the Spanish-American War (1898), including the Civil War (1861-65).

"All of the artifacts displayed here are from our permanent collection," said Courtney Burns, museum curator. "The exhibit traces the entire history of regiments and units that were formed in the 19th century. There was a big struggle throughout the 1800s over who should control militia forces, states or the federal government."

The display is scheduled to open in April.

Separately, the newly reorganized Friends of New York State Military Museum is trying to secure funding for a revolving exhibit that would depict different Civil War events on their 150th anniversary, and how they affected New York. It's hoped that two years from now this exhibit can be tied in to the 150th anniversary of Saratoga Race Course that opened in 1863, shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg.

"The history, exhibits and memorabilia here are something the community should be extremely proud of," said Jay Rifenbary, the Friends group's new president. "We want to make the community aware of what's right in their backyard. For anyone interested in veterans and their families, this is an entity that displays the respect, honor and appreciation they deserve."

For information about or to donate to museum exhibits, contact Ingmire at 584-2244, (800) 381-5445 (e-mail: ny95thregt@aol. com) or Rifenbary at 573-4709 (e-mail: jay@rifenbary. com).